The Ultimate London Eye Quiz

Most of the major cities of the world boast tourist attractions of some kind or another. Not many cities can present a giant Ferris wheel as their main tourist attraction. When it was built, the London Eye was the tallest Ferris wheel in the world. Take this quiz to learn more about this gigantic wheel.

Start Quiz »

You scored

0 out of 20

Question 1 of 20

What is the London Eye?

an observation tower

a lookout platform near the Tower of London

a giant Ferris wheel

The London Eye is a giant Ferris wheel.

Question 2 of 20

Why was the London Eye constructed?

to celebrate 2000

It was built to celebrate the dawn of the new millennium, the year 2000.

to celebrate 1000 year anniversary of London

to honor the World Opticians' Congress in London

Question 3 of 20

What was the idea behind the first Ferris wheel?

the cycle of life

the turning of the century

It was meant to symbolize the turning of the century.

the world continues turning

Question 4 of 20

How high is the London Eye?

442 feet (135 meters)

It stands 442 feet (135 meters) tall.

533 feet (162 meters)

601 feet (183 meters)

Question 5 of 20

How did the London Eye come to be built?

competition organized by he British Government

a public tender by the London City Council

competition for a monument organized by a newspaper

The London Sunday Times organized a competition in 1993 for ideas for a monument to celebrate the change of century.

Question 6 of 20

Who was the architect of the London Eye?

Eye Architects

Marks Barfield

The company of Marks Barfield presented the winning concept.

London Monument Company

Question 7 of 20

What was the official name of the project when it was opened to the public?

Millennium Wheel

Marks Barfield Eye in the Sky

British Airways Millennium Wheel

It was known as the British Airways Millennium Wheel.

Question 8 of 20

When did the London Eye become a permanent attraction?

2000

2002

Although originally it was given a five-year permit, in 2002 it was granted permanent status.

What were some considerations that led to the concept of this giant Ferris wheel?

There were no observation points in London.

The architects noted that London lacked observation points offering views of the skyline and surrounding landscape. A big rotating wheel would offer large numbers of people to enjoy the view at the same time, as well as symbolizing the turn of the century.

They wanted a dynamic monument.

They had loved Ferris wheels in their youth.

Question 13 of 20

How does the London Eye differ from a traditional Ferris wheel?

It rotates a lot slower than a regular Ferris wheel.

Passengers sit in fully enclosed capsules.

The passengers sit in fully enclosed capsules rather than dangling gondolas.

The capsules run on special tracks and are not attached to the rim.

Question 14 of 20

What is the special structural feature of the London Eye?

It is supported on one side and hangs over the River Thames.

It is supported on one side only, which allows it to hang over the River Thames.

It hangs between two "A" shaped frames.

It basically sits on a semicircular motorized bowl.

Question 15 of 20

How long are the legs of the wheel's supporting structure?

120 feet (36.5 meters)

190 feet (58 meters)

Each leg is over 190 feet (58 meters) long.

220 feet (67 meters)

Question 16 of 20

How does the wheel turn?

Hydraulic motors turn the hub of the wheel.

Small jet engines attached to the rim of the wheel "fly" the wheel in a circle.

Motorized truck tires in the base towers move the rim of the wheel.

In the two base towers there are standard motorized truck tires acting as friction rollers on the rim of the wheel turning it.

Question 17 of 20

What is the weight of this structure?

1,117 tons (1,013 tonnes)

1,322 tons (1,200 tonnes)

This huge wheel weighs 1,322 tons (1,200 tonnes).

1,322 tons (1,431 tonnes)

Question 18 of 20

How many capsules are there?

20

25

32

There are 32 capsules, representing each of the 32 boroughs of London.

Question 19 of 20

How many passengers can each capsule hold?

25

Each capsule holds 25 people, meaning that up to 800 people can enjoy the ride at any one time.

18

12

Question 20 of 20

On a clear day, how far can you see from the top of the London Eye?

20 miles (32 km)

25 miles (40 km)

On a clear day you can see 25 miles (40 km) or as far as Windsor Castle.